What Are Two Types of Cultural Dating?

By: Dina Gilio-Whitaker

All cultures have rituals of courtship woven into their social norms. In the West we call it dating, and whatever "dating" means to an individual, it will occur in one of two ways: intra-culturally or inter-culturally. Intra-cultural dating is courtship with someone of your own culture or race, and inter-cultural dating occurs across cultural lines. Within the realm of intra-cultural dating is also another variable: inter- or intra-faith dating -- which is dating within or outside of one's particular religious persuasion.

Culture

When talking about culture, it helps to establish the terms we are working with. Anthropologists and other social scientists define culture as a full range of learned human behavior patterns. They refer to three layers of culture -- the dominant national society, a subculture within the dominant society and cultural universals, meaning learned behaviors that are common to all cultures. For example, all cultures use some form of verbal communication, use age and gender to classify people and have rules to regulate sexual behavior.

Intra-cultural

Intra-cultural dating refers to relationships where people share the same culture, ethnicity, race and religious faith. They are people who likely have grown up in the same country, speak the same language and do not belong to belong to an ethnic subculture. These relationships are also referred to as "homogenous" -- they may be heterosexual or homosexual relationships, as long as both participants originate from the same culture. Intra-cultural relationships will not be characterized by some of the complications that can arise in inter-cultural relationships.

Inter-cultural

Inter-cultural relationships occur when two people come from different national cultures, ethnic or religious backgrounds. Inter-cultural relationships can be complicated in ways that couples from the same cultures don't experience due to the ways societies regulate the spoken and unspoken rules for intimate relationships. When people date across cultural, ethnic or religious lines, they often challenge the norms embedded in their families and the broader society. When families disapprove of the inter-cultural couple's relationship -- especially if it includes marriage -- it can lead to the dissolution of the relationship.

History

In the United States, there has been a long history of the social banning of inter-cultural relationships, dating back at least to the 1600s. Miscegenation laws were those that banned the marriage between white and African American or white and Native American couples and were legally in place until 1967. The Loving v. Virginia case officially lifted the legal restrictions against marriage between whites and blacks and ushered in a new age for wider social acceptance of interracial relationships. However, some studies show that the old prejudices against interracial relationships have not entirely died.

About the Author

Dina Gilio-Whitaker began writing professionally as a freelance journalist in 2001 when she focused on community activism. She has a bachelor's degree in Native American studies with a political science minor and is currently a graduate student in American studies at the University of New Mexico. Gilio-Whitaker has won numerous awards for her academic writing and is an accomplished Native American artist, crafter and dancer.